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about
Seattle based trombonist and Denis Wick Artist Conner Eisenmenger's experience as a musician is as varied as it is substantial. Eisenmenger holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Western Kentucky University and a Master's degree in Jazz Studies from University of North Texas where he studied with Tony Baker and Andre Hayward. While at UNT, Eisenmenger played for two years in the seven-time Grammy nominated One O'Clock Lab Band. As a member of the One O'Clock, he performed with Stefon Harris, Sean Jones, Danilo Perez, Dennis Mackrel, and James Morrison. Eisenmenger also served as a teaching fellow at UNT, teaching multiple courses in jazz trombone fundamentals and directing the Six O'Clock Lab Band, the Seven O'Clock Lab Band, and the U-Tubes jazz trombone ensemble. During his time as a student, Eisenmenger performed and competed in Australia, Spain, China, California, and Washington D.C. Other accolades include winning the 2019 ITEC Rich Matteson Jazz Euphonium competition, the ITF Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition, the ATW Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition, finalist in the 2016 and 2017 ATW jazz solo competitions, and as alternate for the ITF J J Johnson Solo Competition.
Conner Eisenmenger keeps a busy schedule as a composer, bandleader, and clinician maintaining active projects in Seattle, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and across the US. In 2022 he received the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award for his piece, “Choice Paralysis,” played by his flagship 5-piece ensemble, the Think Tank. As an educator, Conner regularly clinics the many elite band programs in the Pacific Northwest and college jazz events including the CWU John Moawad Jazz Festival, the PLU Weathermon Jazz Festival, the WKU Jazz Honor Band, The CWU Jazz Camp, the PNW Trombone Symposium, and many retreats with High School programs including Roosevelt, Edmonds-Woodway, Mercer Island, and Mount Si HS. These days Conner can be found playing with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Opera, Louis Prima Jr, Tito Puente Jr, Johnny Mathis, The Puget Soundwaves Brass Quintet, the Valhalla Brass, and various session work including Nintendo Live’s Super Mario Super Big Band and the DOTA II “The International” live orchestra. KNKX describes Conner’s passion for a life in music as “infectious in the best way.”
Short Bio
Conner Eisenmenger, a Louisville, Kentucky native, is a new face on the Seattle music scene. In 2022 he received the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award for his piece, “Choice Paralysis.”. Before moving out West, Conner received a master of music from the University of North Texas where he played in the One O’clock Lab Band. These days Conner can be found playing with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Louis Prima Jr, Tito Puente Jr, Johnny Mathis, Abilene Philharmonic, and various session work including Nintendo Live’s Super Mario Super Big Band. KNKX describes Conner’s passion for a life in music as “infectious in the best way.”
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Listen
Recent Projects
Think Tank | Modern improvised music informed by Contemporary Classical, Jazz, and Folk with an emphasis on gestural, organic melodies.
Artist Recital | International Tuba Euphonium Conference (2021)
Online Trombone Competition Jazz Artist Division, Second Prize (2020)
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See
DOTA “The International” Orchestra 2023
Think Tank Spring Tour 2022
“Promise to the Weary” (Excerpt) Live at Western Kentucky University
Quarantine Soli project
Garrett Wingfield's Octopod
Drew Zaremba Unity Orchestra
ONe o’clock lab band
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Lessons
Lesson are offered both remote and in person in the Greater Seattle area. Subjects include but are not limited to:
Trombone fundamentals
improvisation
music Theory
Composition
Recording/Basic audio engineering for horn players
Audition preparation
Project-based learning through organization of performance opportunities
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